Coping with development problems in Irian Jaya

Coping with development problems in Irian Jaya

By Bambang Widjojanto

JAKARTA (JP): What has gone wrong with development in Irian
Jaya, Indonesia's most-eastern province?

Its economy is growing by 8 percent to 10 percent in the
1990s, its infrastructure is expanding and the number of schools
in the province is on the rise. Yet a spate of heart-wrenching
incidents have plagued this province in recent months.

No sooner had the National Commission on Human Rights
confirmed a violation by the military when a riot broke out on
March 10 in the township of Timika, in which the PT Freeport
mining site was ransacked. A few days later a riot broke out in
Jayapura, and a week later the Abepura market was set on fire.

Last year, members of the Mooi tribe wrecked a building of a
private company in Sorong after the company appropriated their
land. Some Mooi held a rally in front of the regent's office in
Jayapura, unfurling banners that read: Is there still justice for
us? We want our rights. Let the sago palm grow.

Back in 1988, a group of Irianese proclaimed themselves
independent as citizens of the West Melanesian Republic, in
Jayapura's Trikora Square.

The recent incidents in Irian Jaya stem from the indirect
result of development combined with the yet-to-settle political
dust following a UN-sponsored transfer of the province's
sovereignty from the Dutch colonial power in the early 1960s.

After three decades of development, what benefits do the
Irianese receive?

It is ironic that most Irianese are poor, but exploitation of
the province's natural resources has enriched other regions. It
even subsidizes the government.

Hence, there is something inconsistent between the process of
development and its end results. Despite the impressive results,
development has failed to make the locals feel they are part of
the process. They have yet to feel the benefits of development;
they have no access to economic sources; nor can they control
their future.

The economic gap is widening. Irian Jaya's economy depends on
products derived from natural sources such as forestry, mining,
agricultural produce and fishery, all of them demanding vast
spaces of land.

Seventy percent of the population works in the agricultural
sector, which emphasizes on family related activities.

About 60 percent of the manpower is illiterate or has not
completed elementary level schooling. Only 20 percent completed
elementary school.

Other social problems, if not given the proper attention,
might give rise to social unrest. The number of university
graduates is growing but work opportunities are scarce. In the
meantime, the number of new settlers is swelling, thereby
minimizing job opportunities at all levels.

Today, the local economy has been taken over by new arrivals.
Previously, sago and betel nut were sold by Irianese. This is no
longer the case. Eighty percent of small-scale traders are
newcomers, who sell their wares in the market kiosks, while
Irianese vendors sell their wares on the sidewalks.

The problems are aggravated by the presence of the Independent
Papua Organization (OPM), which hinders political integration.
Despite attempts to purge the organization, the OPM has survived
since its onset in 1963.

The Indonesian Armed Forces calls the OPM a peace-disturbing
movement. But the Armed Forces often exploits this term by using
it for locals who protest development policies or for those who
seek justice.

There are several reasons why the OPM persists. Prior to
relinquishing its sovereignty to Indonesia under UN sponsorship,
the Dutch colonial government prepared the province for self-
rule. Hence, the dream lasts.

The Irianese believe that there had been a flaw in the
plebiscite because of the representation system and that during
negotiations between Indonesia and the Netherlands, which yielded
the New York Agreement in 1962, not one Irianese was represented.

The social gap between the locals and newcomers further
strengthens the locals' "cargo cult", meaning they believe that a
just leader will bring prosperity to the people one day.

The government's development strategy tends to put the
Irianese at a disadvantage and threatens their very existence. To
most Irianese, land is everything. When they lose it they lose
their existence. In such a situation they will cling to their
dream of establishing a free Papua country.

Social conflicts stemming from a search for identity and from
a transformation from traditional to modern institutions could
trigger future rioting and radical action.

It would be wise if the government avoided coercive methods in
dealing with issues in this young and rugged province.

The writer is chairman of the Foundation of the Indonesian
Legal Aid Institute.